Baltimore Mom Caught On Video Disciplining Child Sparks Online Debate
By KYW social media editor Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Baltimore mom caught on camera smacking her son when she found him participating in rioting -- originally hailed as "Mom of the Year" -- is now facing some backlash on social media for beating her child in such a public manner.
After the video of Toya Graham hitting her son went viral on social media, #MomOfTheYear began to trend on Twitter.
But the Baltimore mom is not a hero to all. Frank Cervone, the executive director of the Support Center for Child Advocates, said her actions don't rise to the level of child abuse, but it's not acceptable parenting:
"I think we have to respect her message. She's called for respect for the community and respect for the police and parents taken responsibility."
Graham admits she "lost it" when she saw her 16-year-old son throwing rocks at police during the Baltimore riots.
"That's when child abuse happens, when parents are scared, frustrated, or angry bad things happen," Cervone says. "This was a big kid. It didn't look like he was hurt, but it's not the model we want to urge upon parents."
Toya Graham says she didn't want her son to become the next Freddie Gray. Investigations into Gray's death is ongoing.
